[USS Juno] Promotion Ceremony

Posted on Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 @ 2:48am by Captain Harrold Anderson & Lieutenant Avril Taylor & Captain Xalanth & Lieutenant JG T'para

2,299 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: [USS Shanghai] S1E2: Encounter in the Abyss
Location: Cargo Bay 4
Timeline: MD+4, 1600 Hours

Everyone had started to arrive in the cargo bay room. It took the operations personal almost four hours to relocate the cargo that was stored in this room. Harry, had showered, and changed over into his dress white uniform. He hated the uniform. It was a little snug. He walked into the cargo bay without Kerja, last he saw, she was practicing what to say. He thought it was adorable, the amount of seriousness she was taking in this small task, that he had asked her to complete. They barely knew each other, and she was going to promote him. He felt proud of her.

Kerja was literally shaking when she walked into the room. She'd replicated a simple lavender colored dress for the occasion since she had no dress uniform to wear. Glancing around at all of the eyes already present she made a b-line for her father.

Harry was making small talk with a few of the enlisted men, when he noticed Kerja walk into the room. She walked over towards him. He then looked at the enlisted men. "Excuse me gentleman." He said as he turned his full attention towards Kerja. "You look lovely," said Harry, trying to be polite, and with a big smile on his face.

"Thank you," she looked down at herself. She rather liked the dress and would probably keep it, not that she had a lot of things she normally dressed up for. Her hair was braided down her back and held in place by a ribbon the same color as her dress.

"When the boseman whistle blows, you will be up, don't worry, you'll do great." Said Harry as he placed a gold pip in her hand, and closed it up on her.

She gave him an extremely nervous smile. "Or this will be the shortest promotion ceremony ever," she mumbled out of the corner of her mouth.

Avril was already in the room, she was mingling with some of the junior officers in in her unit. When she noticed a young girl, heading over to the captain. That seemed a little odd to her, and where did she come from, wondered Avril, as she continued in small talk with her department.

Xalanth stepped in next looking very uncomfortable in his formal uniform. His right arm was linked with his mates who was wearing the formal uniform as well. The lizard smiled at the senior officers and the crew from his security staff.

Bervag entered clad in his dress whites, tugging at his collar. He entered alone. So he went to mingling with all the officers assembled. He was beaming. After all it wasn't everyday your CO got promoted.

Harry noticed the time, and a low ranking ensign tapped on the boseman whistle. Harry and the others all snapped to the position of attention. Everyone dressed rank formation, behind their department heads. The cargo bay barely contained everyone.

Harry looked to Kerja. She was now up, all eyes would be focused on what she was about to say. He felt bad for her, but tradition, was tradition. He kept eye contact with her, to let her know she was not alone, he would be there to help her.

Karja tried to smile at everyone. "Hello . . ." She cleared her throat. "So, I don't know if any of you know who I am. My name is Aanyo Kerja. I'm Commander Anderson's daughter and I've been told that this is a tradition, for a family member to attach the pip at a promotion ceremony. I wish I had something enlightening to tell you but I've only known my father for about a day and a half. However, I'm sure you're all very proud of him . . . I am proud that he has been following his dream. I'm proud that he has done so well as to gain all of your trust. I'm proud that he takes his responsibilities seriously, that includes me. And I'm proud that he's my dad." Kerja took one step towards him and took off the old pip, snapping the new one in place. "Congratulations Commander Anderson."

Harry reached out for a handshake, thinking a hug might be a little to much for her. Plus it was more of a human gesture, and Kerja was primarily raised by Bajorans, for most of her life.

Kerja managed a small smile and took it. But as soon as she was able she retreated behind him so she could watch the party without being the center of attention.

"And now why we're here," Announced Dan as he held a plate of little snacks between father and daughter. "Food and drinks for everyone." He smiled and then he hand signaled to his crew to spread out. He then continued directing himself to the captain, "Look, cap'tan, I know you didn't want to do this big, but I wouldn't be a good chef if I didn't at least prepared you a little something. Oh dig in. It's tuna salad on toast."

"And champagne," said T'San as she handed Harry and Kerja each a glass. "Oh don't worry, captain, your daughter is getting the special mix, made by Dan. Don't worry about alcohol, she can drink it safely." She looked over T'Meela.

She had tied her hair up head in to a high ponytail. She wore a black shirt and dark purple skirt and black ballerina flats. In her hand she also had a glass. She looked at her mother. "Oh, right, yes, it's a lovely drink my father makes, it tastes a lot like the real champaign."

Harry grabs the drink from from one of the people handing out the champagne. "You never disappoint my friend." Said Harry as he reached over to give Dan a hug, a sign of respect and a human way of saying thank you, without actually saying it.

Dan patted the captain's back. "You're welcome, captain."

"Go easy on that kid," said Harry as he noticed T'Meela taking small sips of the champagne.

"Shouldn't you be more concerned over your own daughter then someone else's?" T'Meela replied cocky.

"Now, T'Meela, that's not very nice of you to say." Said Dan. "Apologize now."

T'Meela put her empty glass on a serving plate one of the ushers brought along. "My apologies captain. Sometimes my emotions speak for me. It won't happen again."

Harry thought T'Meela was amusing. But he refrained from saying anything. He instead turned his attention to Kerja. She was offly quiet. She was probably adsorbing everything. "This promotion party is not so bad, right?" He asked.

"It's . . . a lot of people." She said honestly. "Not used to big parties."

"Starfleet loves to host parties, wait til we make first contact, with a new race." Suggested Harry, with a grin on his face, and slightly raising his eye brows.

"So what do you think, of your first Starfleet party?" asked Harry, thinking it was boring, dull, and lacked entertainment. He would prefer to be in the lounge, having a few cold ones, and socializing with his senior staff.

"It's okay." She said in response, looking up at him. "I made it through the speech. maybe now I can relax a little bit." There was the girl about her age, but she was Vulcan or half Vulcan and Kerja had no idea what to say to her. Other than Commander Bers, and Doctor T'san, she hadn't met any of the Juno crew.

He leaned over towards his daughter, so he could tell her and not the entire room. "Your doing great, the worse is behind, well until they decide to promote me to Captain." He said, with a grin.

"Gee thanks," she snorted. Kerja wondered how long promotion ceremonies usually lasted. She was already tired. Nerves from the speech had taken a lot out of her. "I think I'll go get some food," she whispered to her dad.

***

While the captain was talking to T'San and her family, Avril noticed the first officer, heading her direction. She was pretty close to the captain, she was waiting to see her congradulations on his promotion. "Hello Commander Bers," she said, trying to show him, without actually saying it, that she was next to see the captain. However if the first officer wanted too, he could pull rank on her.

"Lieutenant." he smiled, getiing in line to congratulate the CO. "How are you?"

Harry had noticed that his helmsman and his first officer were just starting up a conversation. He noticed his daughter left his side, so he thought it would be an ideal time to make his rounds. The sooner he did that, the sooner he could get out of the uniform. "Afternoon folks, are we ready for our first mission?" He asked.

"Mission sir, my understanding is, I will be on the bridge, oh, you were referring to Commander Bers, huh?" She asked, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"It's alright Lieutenant, we get to spend quality time together on the bridge." He said with a big grin. He was teasing her a little. But he understood why, she was a little confused. He did interrupt their little conversation.

Avril chuckled, for a moment and then said. "Yes sir."

"Yes sir!" he replied, with a little more enthusiasm than he should. "And congratulations sir. Play your cards right and they'll be four of those soon."

Harry motioned for Xalanth and his family, to join them. He knew Bervag was going to send along T'San and Xalanth on his away mission. Xalanth was the most trained officer, to conduct and investigation on the abduction of New Bajor.

The dragonian nodded and moved his mate and his two children towards the captain. The young hybrid both were wearing rather old looking dragonain military robes that despite there age looked very well maintained.

Harry knew tonight was going to be late night. It could not be helped. The abductors already had a huge lead on the Juno, and he wanted to close down that gap. "I know I count on you all, to be vigilant and diligent in your investigation. Were not going to have a lot of time, I want the details, and a full report by the morning, I know its a shitty deal, Lieutenant, that will be a lot of information to cypher through, but the longer this drags out, stastically the less likely we will find our people alive." Said Harry. He knew Bervag, knew this already. But he was mainly saying it, for himself.

Harry wanted to find Tera alive, he knew Kerja would need her, he wanted her to explain her actions. Tera had some nerve, keeping the secret, that he had a daughter. He was angry and scared, and worried all at the same time. He was a little overwhelmed. And he knew it.

T'San had suggested that he talk to Dan the Chef. She believed that Dan could help him work through some of his father figure role model issues. Harry hoped that T'San was right. He was not really fond of letting in a stranger, on his personal feelings.

" We'll get the hostages back sir. The darkest pit of the galaxy hasn't created something that can outfight a dragonian legionary. " Xlanth staed confidently.

Bervag nodded to Xalanth. "Glad to hear it!"

***

Harry tried to distract his mind, and on the Juno, that was not a hard thing to do. He wondered who he pleased in Starfleet, there where so many beautiful looking women on the Juno. And one really got his attention. She was average height, slender legs, slender body with blond hair and wearing a teal uniform.

Harry noticed she was knew, and they had not had the pleasure of meeting before. "Good Evening Miss Jexen, your profile picture, does not do you justice." Said Harry with a warm smile, and eyes that were re checking out her physique.

Kimoni smiled slightly as she turned to face her Captain, mostly due to the mental sigh she hear in her head from Jexen. The Symbiont's eight lifetimes meant it had a lot of experience. Kimoni folded her arms behind her back and nodded.

“Thank you Captain, Although I do hope my profile also contains details on my abilities as well.” She said, hoping the man in from of her would have a sense of humour, otherwise she may have just find herself transferred to a new ship in record time, not exactly a plus for her career.

Harry made a mental note. Note to self, do not hit on the science officer. He could feel a strong vibe of rejection. "It does, Lieutenant." Said Harry in a cold Vulcan like tone.

“Oh good, I must admit I was worried her for a minute.” She replied, only half joking and glad the Captain hadn't taken her words as an insult, although she did notice the change in his tone. It had only been a few months since she'd become Jexen's host and she was still finding it hard to work out which thoughts were hers and which were her Symbiont's. It was easier now but she still wasn't quite sure.

"Are you settled in?" asked Harry, trying to think of things to say. She had shot him down cold.

“It's been an... interesting experience sir, but I like to think I'm settling in well. I've had a few things to get used to over the last few months.

"Very good, Lieutenant, carry on." Said Harry as he left the area quickly.

“Thank you, Sir and may I say it's nice to finally meet you.” She said as Harry began to walk away. She decided that she may well have insulted him afterall. She brushed her hair behind her right ear and looked around, hoping nobody had seen their conversation.

 

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